Cooking Appliance Steamer with Bottom Support to Prevent Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cooking appliances with steamers are prone to deformation due to the uneven weight distribution, which affects the reliability and efficiency of producing large quantities of low Glycemic index cooked rice.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance design featuring a steamer supported by a structure connected to the bottom wall of an internal pot, with a sealed engagement and an overflow channel that allows water to enter the steamer, distributing the weight evenly and preventing deformation, while ensuring adequate water absorption for the rice.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the steamer is sealingly supported on the upper edge of the internal pot, then the steamer can be positioned securely for cooking, but the weight of the rice causes deformation of the steamer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteamer positioning stabilityVSAvoidsteamer deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-point support at the upper edge to distributed support across the bottom surface by adding a supporting structure with supporting surface that contacts the bottom wall of the internal pot, spreading the load across multiple dimensions and preventing deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure divides the support function into separate components: the supporting surface for weight distribution and the sealing structure for positioning stability, allowing each to optimize its function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the steamer is sealed to the internal pot to generate steam pressure, then water can be forced into the steamer for rice washing and absorption, but the sealed structure complicates the device design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverice cooking efficiencyVSAvoidsealed structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support to prevent deformation, creates the sealing engagement between steamer and pot, and forms the overflow channel for water control, eliminating the need for separate components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the supporting structure, sealing structure, and overflow channel into an integrated assembly that performs multiple functions, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining cooking efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents steamer deformation, ensures reliable production of large quantities of low Glycemic index cooked rice by evenly distributing the weight and ensuring proper water absorption, resulting in better-tasting rice with optimal moisture content and grain definition.

Implementation Method 1

the supporting structure and the bottom wall of the internal pot are in contact, so that the weight of the steamer and the rice is borne by the internal pot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight distribution: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the water within said separating cavity can enter said steamer through said overflow channel and said water permeable area under the pressure generated within said separating cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

When rice comes into adequate contact with water, the rice will undergo water absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3506806B1Cooking appliance with steamer
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 SEB SA
  • EP3506806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3506806B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3506806B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Cooking appliance, wherein said cooking appliance comprises internal pot (10), steamer (20) that is housed within internal pot (10), and supporting structure (30) that is connected with steamer (20); said supporting structure (30) is supported on the bottom wall of said internal pot (10), said steamer (20) and said internal pot (10) are engaged in a sealed engagement, the external wall of said steamer (20) and the internal wall of said internal pot (10) forms a separating cavity, said steamer (20) is provided with a water permeable area (21), and said supporting structure (30) has an overflow channel that connects said separating cavity and said water permeable area (21).